Jazz Vocalist/Historian Joan Cartwright and her ensemble trace the origins of Jazz from the West Coast of Africa to the clubs of Harlem and beyond. This presentation highlights the life, times and tunes of America's premier Blues and Jazz Women from Bessie Smith to Betty Carter and others. The audience participates in singing musical compositions of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Cole Porter, Norman Mapp and Joan Cartwright.

Educational goals: The Women in Jazz Concert & Lecture traces the origins of Jazz from the West Coast of Africa to the clubs of Harlem. The presentation highlights the life, times and tunes of America's premier Blues and Jazz Women from Bessie Smith to Betty Carter and beyond. Selections include compositions of: Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Cole

Porter, Norman Mapp, Joan Cartwright (1-2 hours)

WOMEN IN JAZZ ON TOUR is an ensemble of 3-8 musicians, including a quartet (piano, bass, drums, horn) and 3-4 vocalists that tell the story of the origins of Jazz from the West Coast of Africa to the clubs of Harlem. The touring group includes a road manager, publicist and transportation manager. The presentation highlights the life, times and music of America's premier Blues and Jazz composers, specifically, the women musicians and vocalists who brought this music to the forefront of popular culture in America and abroad.

This tour brings the history of women in jazz and blues to audiences that may, otherwise, not get this type of programming from K-12 audiences in inner-city, suburban and rural areas where this genre of music may not be presented or performed, ordinarily.

Methods used:

Workshop I: (3 hours) See List #1

45-minute lecture and PowerPoint on the lives of 15 WOMEN IN JAZZ

45-minutes listening to CDs of women performing various styles of jazz

45-minute video presentation and review-writing session

45-minute testing with a short quiz and answer review

Workshop II: (6 hours) See List #2

2-hour lecture on the lives of 30 WOMEN IN JAZZ

1-hour listening to CDs of women performing various styles of jazz music

1-hour video presentation

1-hour essay period, includes writing a review of a performance or CD

1-hour testing, with two short quizzes and answer review

Segments can be tailored to include 5 to 10 minute breaks, when necessary.

This presentation is designed for Elementary School I & II, Middle School I & II and High School I & II.

By exploring the successful careers of Women in Jazz and Blues, children, especially girls, are exposed to greater possibilities of their becoming musicians, composers and performers. This workshop provides children with information about performers, composers and songwriters, from the U.S.A. and abroad. Ms. Cartwright teaches students history, music and literacy skills by focusing first on the lives of women who performed jazz music, vocally and instrumentally; then teaches students the elements of lyric and song writing; and how toexecute vocalese or "scatting".

Using excerpts from books written on Women in Jazz (Appendix I) and the men they performed with, and quizzes, Cartwright exercises students' reading and writing skills by having them read out loud, complete sentences in quizzes and write short reviews of audio and video performances.

WOMEN IN JAZZ is presented in a 3-hour and 6-hour format atthe elementary, middle school and high school levels. Though content is the same at all levels, the depth of emphasis and understanding of the historical challenges faced by women musicians and their accomplishments in the field may vary ateach level.